what if?

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about mortality. Namely, my own. I’m not going to get morbid and depressing about it, I promise. But since my mind has been wandering amidst the what-ifs, I’ve decided to try being quiet with these inevitable thoughts (and yes, fears) and listen to what the angels are saying. You know, the ones that gently glide by beckoning the big questions;

Are you doing what’s important? Are you living your best life? Are you spending time on what matters most?

I think we would all like to answer yes but sometimes we just aren’t doing the things that matter, as we are clouded by daily demands. It’s the way it goes. But then there are the reminders that lift us from our fog, stories that stir our souls awake, or circumstances and situations that bring the big picture back into focus.

Jen Balantine’s question has been ringing in my ears and instead of leaving my list on paper, I’ve decided to begin to make a dent in it. I want to make a deliberate schedule to fit in the things that matter most; the things that I would do if I had only a few months to live. I plan on making a priority getting all the wonderful photos and stories of my children’s lives off of the computer and organized and into books and memory boxes. I want to create for my girls something tangible to hold onto, to look through, to remind them of their life growing up in our family. Growing up with me. I want them to know (even beyond the knowing that they will always carry with them) that I was here, that I am here, in living color. Everyday. Giving baths, braiding hair, sewing buttons on pants, dancing in the living room, making projects and school lunches, going on field trips and adventure walks and taking pictures. I plan to take time out to do the things I want to do…for me and for them. I’m considering it my date night with destiny. As simple as it may seem, this is what I would do if I knew I only had a few months to live so, I’m going to start doing it now. And I know I’m going to love doing it.

How about you? What would you do? And are you willing to start doing it now?

Thanks to all of you who offered hope through your beautiful images for the auction. The proceeds will be helping Jen and her son as she  faces days ahead that seem to keep getting tougher for her. The auction is up and running so head over and bid on your favorite things. Be sure to click on the item you have your eye on to get more info on the object or photo and the person behind it. It makes it that much more special. Thanks again. You are all incredible.

Words to Fly By

The night before last I had the incredible honor of seeing both Anne Lamott and Elizabeth Gilbert together at the beautiful Royce Hall at UCLA. I know I know, how could it be?  Needless to say, the evening was pure magic.

Since almost every single word out of each of their mouths felt meaningful and moving, I wasn’t sure I could even write about it. Almost like a you had to be there kind of night. But I will say that in one short evening, these two incredibly authentic and articulate ladies gave a huge room full of women permission to be human—real, fumbling and flawed.

A perfect example was when someone in the audience asked them if they had by chance mastered living in the now. Wow. That’s a question.

Ms. Lamott began with an unapologetic No, which was certainly liberating in itself, but Ms. Gilbert added that she thought the living in the moment movement was somewhat overrated. Oh yes she did. She went on to share something she had recently read that made mention (and I totally paraphrase what she had paraphrased) that perhaps the key to a happy life is when one has good memories to look back on and great plans to look forward to. She ended with a simple line of advice that keeps ringing in my ears—take pictures and make plans.

Is it just me or is that most wonderful thing you’ve ever heard?

I knew these women were amazing even before attending the event but when I floated out of that concert hall with wings I began to see them as divine.

gathering hope

Last night after falling in love with a photo of a beautiful mother and her son, I was led to reading Jen Lemen’s post (when I posted this the site was down but it will be back up again soon) which then in turn took me to Meg’s and then to Belle’s (you all know how it goes) and I was reminded of what the mother in that photo is enduring right now. Jen Ballantyne is one of us—a sister among our vibrant, creative, passionate community. She’s a mother, a photographer, a blogger. Authentic, honest and hopeful. She’s much like you and much like me with a substantial difference; Jen has stage 4 colon cancer.

As I was reading her story again and going over the details of the auction that is happening in her honor, I was inspired to think of something to include to help raise the funds she needs to better take care of herself as she continues her journey as well as what her sons need now and in the future. And then it hit me, of course… I’ll send a photograph! And before I could even decide which I would have printed up, I had an even grander thought—What if other sisters would do the same? What if the Shutter Sisters community pulled together to support one of their own through photographs?

Well? What if? I’ve seen what ya’ll got and there is some money to be raised, let me tell you! In the true spirit of sisterhood, let’s prove there’s more than one way to capture hope through photography.

If you would like to participate in the auction by offering a printed photo that you took to be auctioned off, please email weloveyoujen@gmail.com for instructions ASAP. And be sure to mention that you’re a sister. Thank you in advance for your help.

When Art Imitates Life

Yesterday I posted a photo on my other blog with a few lines describing my recent quandary with a certain four-year-old. Nothing terrible, just terribly trying. I thought it was interesting that many of the comments over there mentioned that my struggle was somewhat evident in my photo, no explanation necessary. It was so nice to feel understood in that way. A picture is sometimes really worth a thousand words--none of them spoken--all just translated intuitively through visual communication. I take great comfort in that—in the power of the capture.

Over the weekend, during a low moment, I stepped outside for a little fresh air therapy when right near my front door these tender leaves caught my eye. Tiny droplets from the previous night’s rain were catching the only glimmer of light offered by the morning diffused with weather. The leaves looked so delicate and sweet. It wasn’t until I pulled the images up on my monitor that I noticed a sadness, as the frail foliage seemed to be weighed down with each drop, weary of the burden. I felt through the image what I felt myself.

So, does all this mean we do truly create photographs that mirror the state we’re in? Do we shoot saddled with our sorrow, or jubilant with joy allowing our intimate vulnerabilities to be exposed through our work? Or, do we instead shoot through our exhaustion and despite our weariness in order to seek some kind of clarity, powerful enough to lift us from our fog? Perhaps it’s all dependent on the very moment we click and what we needed more; to express ourselves or to save ourselves.

If you’ve got a shot that speaks volumes for you, you know we’d love for you to share it.

Season Speak

Winters in Southern California are mild to say the least. The weather we experience is but a breeze in the howling wind of what true seasonal weather should be. Mind you, it’s totally fine by me and one of the reasons I can’t imagine leaving my native California. This season, although still fairly temperate, we have had some weather. Storm systems have been flying through here like they’re in a hurry to get somewhere. Like another state perhaps where they can really wreak havoc. But as they race past they leave a lingering trail of the visual delights that So Cal photographers like myself rarely witness.

This morning as I set out on my daily rounds, the landscape here was luminous. With the air washed clean of the normal daily haze, the earth glowed a saturated green and the clouds looked like something from a dream. A tumultuous storm brewed over the mountains and a rainbow playfully danced in and out of my rearview mirror. I couldn’t help but feel like I was being romanced by my surroundings. Winter here can do that for you. It can tenderly remind you that everyday isn’t just like the one that came before it. Receiving a gift of perspective like that is invigorating. Each day is indeed a new day that begins fresh and clean and the possibilities are endless. Sometimes you can see it in the sky. It’s no wonder I’ve been carrying my camera with me everywhere I go.

I love to see how you translate the season with your cameras. I've been intoxicated by the images in our Flickr pool like those from  joannerim, strawberrygoldie, monsoonaz3 , carol brown and tonyapool.  Wow. Just plain wow. Keep them coming ladies. I feel a deep cleansing breath coming on and I like it.

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Now onto some Shutter Sisters business—

First, our apologies to everyone for the inability to subscribe to our feed. We are thrilled that you are so eager to get us into your readers! Just so you know, we are aware of the problem and promise that you all will be the first to know when we’ve got it worked out so hold tight!

And on a more fun note, we are pleased to announce that we will be kicking off our very first photo contest next week. Are you are ready to get down and dirty for this one? We thought we’d give you a week to get a jump start on shooting some pix to submit for the CleanWell Moments Photo Contest so get clickin’! Get the nitty gritty at ‘click with us'.